The Illinois Department of Transportation's costs accounted for much of the expenditure.

Thompson says in an email that the agency spent about $12.3 million, which covered labor, equipment and road salt. The Illinois Tollway Authority spent about $1.3 million. Illinois State Police racked up almost $108,000 in overtime costs.

The state also spent $30,000 to deploy three dozen Illinois National Guard soldiers who helped IDOT crews rescue stranded cars and repair snowplows.

The winter storm dumped more than 15 inches of snow in some parts of the state and set record-lows when the polar vortex moved south, bringing arctic temperatures into Illinois.